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| Tanks on the streets of Cairo |
At least 13 people were reported to have
been killed and 1200 injured when pro-Mubarak thugs forced their way
into Tahrir (Liberation) Square in Cairo and clashed with the
anti-government protesters.
Eye witnesses confirmed that the
military allowed thousands of pro-Mubarak supporters, armed with sticks
and knives, to enter Tahrir Square, the epicentre of the ongoing
protests. Army personnel stood by and watched when men on horseback and
camels ploughed into the crowds. In the clashes that followed, six
riders were dragged down from their horses and beaten with sticks by the
protesters. They were taken away unconscious with blood streaming down
their faces.
Gun fire was being heard amidst hurling
of Molotov cocktails and rocks into the crowd of peaceful protesters
gathered at Tahrir Square. Dozens of injured people were being treated
at makeshift clinics established on the roads and nearby mosques. Most
protesters suffered head injuries as the result of rocks being thrown
down from nearby buildings. Some of the worst fighting took place
outside the famous Egyptian Museum. In the chaos that followed, a
journalist from Al-Arabiya channel was stabbed, two journalists from Al
Jazeera were attacked and dozens of journalists were beaten and their
equipments seized by thugs.
The opposition groups say members of
security forces dressed in plain clothes and paid thugs wielding clubs
and daggers stormed into Tahrir Square. Mohamed El Baradei says he fears
that Mubarak sponsored violence may turn into a bloodbath. He has
called on the army not to remain neutral and to intervene as soon as
possible to protect people’s lives. Similar clashes were also reported
in the Mediterranean port city of Alexandria, Egypt’s second largest
city.
It is estimated that 8 million
protesters continue to defy the night-time curfew imposed in cities
across Egypt. Omar Suleiman, the recently appointed Vice President, says
the Muslim Brotherhood is not interested in negotiations with the
government. Speaking on TV, Suleiman said "We invited the Muslim
Brotherhood ... but they are hesitant ... this is a very important
opportunity that they should not lose."
“Speaking on Thursday, Ahmed Shafiq, the
Egyptian Prime Minister, made an unprecedented apology for
Wednesday's assault that turned central Cairo into a battle zone.”
reports Al Jazeera.
Speaking to ABC News, Mubarak said he
was fed up with power and would like to resign immediately but feared
that Egypt would descend into chaos if he leaves.
The European Union has joined the United
States in calling for an immediate transition of power to end the
mayhem and chaos in Egypt. The US no longer need Mubarak, the 82 year
old Egyptian dictator or puppet to ensure safety for Israel. After
having ruled Egypt as a state subservient to US for almost 30 years, the
US want to replace him with a new puppet, and in the process destroy
the infrastructure and economy of Egypt, so that the country emerges
from the ashes weaker than ever. For all these years, Mubarak thought
that he holds control over the Egyptian army, but in fact, they were
supplied, maintained and fed by the American money. The half a million
strong Egyptian army had the power to intervene and stop the protests
when it first appeared. Mubarak could only secretly beg from his master
in the White House to keep him in power and not openly accuse him of
anything, because even after leaving power his survival depends on the
US.
The protesters are preparing for a “Day of Departure” on Friday to demand President Mubarak’s resignation.
__________________________________________________________Written by: Ibrahim Nazim
4 February 2011, Friday
1 Raby’al-awal 1432
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